Latest news with #Adasi
The National
23-06-2025
- The National
Pioneering Emirati pilot on a mission to inspire as UAE women build for the future
The sky is the limit for a trailblazing Emirati woman hoping to inspire others to make their dreams take flight as she provides a crucial guiding hand in the success of a cutting-edge crewless aircraft made in the UAE. Mariam Al Mansoori recently etched her name in the history books when she became the first female citizen to remotely pilot the high-tech Garmoosha, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The light aircraft was developed by Adasi, a subsidiary of defence conglomerate Edge, to act as a critical tool for armed forces by flying into hazardous areas to capture valuable information without putting a pilot's life at risk. Edge is one of the top 25 military suppliers in the world, known for investing heavily in innovation, smart weapons and emerging technology. Ms Al Mansoori, a senior production engineer at Adasi, was among the high-flying Emirati women to tell The National of their achievements to mark International Women in Engineering Day, celebrated on June 23 each year. 'I'm so proud of myself. Recently I achieved my dream. I became a UAV pilot for Garmoosha," said Ms Al Mansoori, who joined Adasi nearly a decade ago. "So I'm not only working as an engineer, I'm also a UAV pilot.' She has worked on Garmoosha from its earliest days, involved in its development, integration and testing, and now supervises its production line. 'It's amazing. You build it, then you see it fly and you have full control. That feeling is huge,' she said. 'Since the first day I joined Adasi, I had this plan, inshallah, one day I will become a pilot. Last week, I graduated.' She is now certified after completing ground school and 20 hours of field training. 'When you see Garmoosha flying and you're the one in control, it's something else," she said. Her success, she said, sends a message to young Emirati women: 'Women can work and achieve in all fields. Our role is not different than men's.' Leading from the front Mouza Al Zaabi, an engineer at Edge subsidiary PPI, works in the defence and oil and gas division. She leads complex repair projects from start to finish – from technical analysis to customer communication and delivery. 'As an engineer in a high-precision, high-stakes environment, every day is a learning opportunity,' she said. 'These challenges have shaped me, I've become more resilient and agile.' Ms Al Zaabi said her family have always been her foundation by offering their encouragement. 'They encouraged me and made me the proud Emirati woman I am today,' she said. 'Their belief gave me strength.' Her advice to anyone wanting to follow in her footsteps is: 'Always believe in yourself. Don't underestimate what you can bring. Engineering isn't about gender, it's about skill and passion.' Powering progress At Halcon, another Edge company that focuses on guided weapons systems, Aliya Al Jaberi works as an engineer in the power electronics department. She is responsible for designing how electricity is controlled and distributed across the company's advanced weapons platforms. 'I've been at Halcon for three years now,' she said. 'What fascinated me about electronics engineering is understanding how complex, critical systems work.' She acknowledges the challenges of working in a male-dominated field but sees it as an opportunity for growth, not limitation. 'It shaped me for the better,' she said. 'My advice to other women: trust yourself. Our country has invested in us, now it's time we give back.' Championing diversity Emirati women are also reshaping the workplace landscape at Ducab, one of the region's largest cable and wire manufacturers. Out of 99 engineers at Ducab, 16 are women, an encouraging number in an industry historically dominated by men. Ducab is a member of the Challenger Programme, a national initiative to increase gender diversity in heavy industry by improving workplace culture, leadership pipelines and company policies. Projects in the pipeline include gender audits, a culture toolkit and cross-organisational mentorship programmes. Gender should be no barrier Asal Alameri, an operational excellence engineer, sets performance standards and works on improving manufacturing processes across the company's cable production plants. 'It's a very fun and challenging field,' she said. 'Engineering isn't as physical or male-oriented as people think. It's about solving problems.' She joined Ducab through a student sponsorship while studying at Higher Colleges of Technology. Her sister who is also an engineer, paved the way. 'She taught me things I didn't know – like how GPA [grade point average] works from the first semester, or the importance of attendance and first impressions,' Ms Alameri said. 'That made a difference.' While cable production is still machinery-heavy, she says the engineering teams are increasingly balanced. 'Maybe not 50-50 yet, but women are excelling in every department,' she said. 'It's not about quantity, but quality.' Rising to the challenge Shaima Ali, senior material engineer at Ducab, manages the raw materials that power the company's products – from copper and aluminium to specialised polymers. 'My background is chemical engineering,' she said. 'I can apply that to choosing the right materials and understanding how they affect quality and performance.' She began as a trainee engineer, moved into manufacturing, and now leads material selection and compliance, ensuring all materials meet regulatory and technical standards. 'It's never boring. There's always a new challenge,' she said. 'But the most exciting part is seeing how AI and technology are transforming our roles. "For example, we used to do reports manually. Now, with a few inputs, the system generates them automatically, saving 50 per cent of our time.' Her message: 'Believe in your potential. Don't let stereotypes define your path. Engineering needs diverse minds.' Shama Almarzooqi, also at Ducab, is a senior operational excellence engineer currently preparing to pursue a doctorate in artificial intelligence and sustainability in manufacturing. She joined the company in 2020 after being sponsored as a student in 2018. Since then, she has rotated through various roles from process engineering to manufacturing and now excellence optimisation. 'I'm a progress person,' she said. 'I already finished my Master's, and now I'm working on my research for a PhD. I'm thinking about how AI can make manufacturing more sustainable.' Her job involves analysing production data to reduce costs and improve quality. She works closely with departments across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. 'It's not a desk job,' she said. 'I move between departments and sites. Sometimes it's exhausting, especially in the summer, but when I see the results, I feel proud.' Among her recent accomplishments was helping to develop an AI tool to track production output and plan machine maintenance, reducing downtime and improving performance. 'It's a powerful feeling,' she said. 'It shows how data and innovation can create real value.' When she first told her family she wanted to become an engineer, it was a surprise for them. 'I was the first woman in my family to choose this path. It was a challenge just to explain it to them,' she said. 'But once I started, they gave me the strength to keep going.' Her advice to others: 'Engineering isn't just about machines or maths. It's about shaping the future. If you're curious and determined and want to make an impact, this is your path.'
Zawya
21-03-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
Edge Group entity lands first P145i engine order for Adasi UAVs
Abu Dhabi-based Edge Group, a leading advanced technology and defence group, has announced that its key entities Powertech has secured its first order for the P145i combustion engine from Adasi, marking a significant milestone in its strategy to become a globally competitive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of high-performance propulsion systems for defence and civil aerospace applications. The deal follows the engine's official debut at International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2025) in Abu Dhabi. As per the deal, Powertech will supply Adasi with its advanced six-cylinder fuel-injection engine, designed to enhance the efficiency and performance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and light aircraft. Engineered for superior reliability, fuel efficiency, and seamless integration with advanced aerial platforms, the P145i performs across diverse environmental conditions. Meanwhile, its lightweight design ensures greater operational flexibility, making it ideal for autonomous aerial platforms, it stated. This agreement marks a pivotal step in Powertech's long-term vision to establish its position as a global leader in reliable, purpose-built propulsion systems and solutions, designed to address the growing demand for advanced aero engines and support the accelerated advancement across the UAV and aerospace propulsion sectors. Julien Fabreguette, Senior Vice President of Industrial Strategy & Partnerships – Platforms & Systems, Edge, said: "This landmark order is a defining moment for Powertech and a testament to the strength of cross-complementary synergies within Edge Group. The P145i embodies our engineering excellence, offering a powerful and fuel-efficient solution for UAVs and advanced aerial platforms." "We are proud to support Adasi with cutting-Edge propulsion solutions that enhance its aerial capabilities and support its portfolio of autonomous systems," he added. Adasi CEO Juma Al Kaabi said: "As a regional leader in autonomous systems, Adasi is committed to equipping its platforms with the most advanced technologies to meet the evolving demands of modern defence operations." "Integrating Powertech's P145i engine into our platforms aligns with our mission to deliver superior UAV capabilities, ensuring enhanced performance, efficiency, and operational reliability. This partnership reinforces our commitment to offering our customers state-of-the-art solutions that ensure mission success," he added.- TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Trade Arabia
20-03-2025
- Automotive
- Trade Arabia
Edge Group entity lands first P145i engine order for Adasi UAVs
Abu Dhabi-based Edge Group, a leading advanced technology and defence group, has announced that its key entities Powertech has secured its first order for the P145i combustion engine from Adasi, marking a significant milestone in its strategy to become a globally competitive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of high-performance propulsion systems for defence and civil aerospace applications. The deal follows the engine's official debut at International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2025) in Abu Dhabi. As per the deal, Powertech will supply Adasi with its advanced six-cylinder fuel-injection engine, designed to enhance the efficiency and performance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and light aircraft. Engineered for superior reliability, fuel efficiency, and seamless integration with advanced aerial platforms, the P145i performs across diverse environmental conditions. Meanwhile, its lightweight design ensures greater operational flexibility, making it ideal for autonomous aerial platforms, it stated. This agreement marks a pivotal step in Powertech's long-term vision to establish its position as a global leader in reliable, purpose-built propulsion systems and solutions, designed to address the growing demand for advanced aero engines and support the accelerated advancement across the UAV and aerospace propulsion sectors. Julien Fabreguette, Senior Vice President of Industrial Strategy & Partnerships – Platforms & Systems, Edge, said: "This landmark order is a defining moment for Powertech and a testament to the strength of cross-complementary synergies within Edge Group. The P145i embodies our engineering excellence, offering a powerful and fuel-efficient solution for UAVs and advanced aerial platforms." "We are proud to support Adasi with cutting-Edge propulsion solutions that enhance its aerial capabilities and support its portfolio of autonomous systems," he added. Adasi CEO Juma Al Kaabi said: "As a regional leader in autonomous systems, Adasi is committed to equipping its platforms with the most advanced technologies to meet the evolving demands of modern defence operations."
Trade Arabia
23-02-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
VentureOne, Adasi team up to integrate autonomous flight tech
As dual-use technologies increasingly drive economies of scale worldwide, Adasi, a leader in UAV system manufacturing, has announced their adoption of two advanced autonomous flight technologies by Abu Dhabi's VentureOne: Perceptra, a new cutting-edge GPS-less navigation technology, and Saluki, a high-security flight control technology for autonomous systems. These technologies, both developed by the Technology Innovation Institute, are designed to deliver secure, resilient operations in the most challenging environments. They have been optimized for UAV manufacturers, offering enhanced resilience, precision, and security for autonomous aerial operations, it stated. The agreement between VentureOne, Adasi, and TII was formalized at IDEX 2025, the Middle East's largest defense exhibition, at which Saluki and Perceptra were unveiled. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has long been a fundamental pillar of navigation, supporting applications from everyday smartphone use to critical defense and military operations. However, this widespread reliance on GPS has exposed vulnerabilities that can be exploited through techniques like jamming and spoofing. Jamming occurs when signals on the same frequency overwhelm GPS receivers, preventing accurate location tracking, while spoofing involves transmitting counterfeit signals to deceive receivers into calculating incorrect positions or times. These vulnerabilities pose significant risks across sectors that depend on precise navigation, including autonomous drones, commercial aviation, and military aircraft. In defence and security, compromised GPS signals can impact mission success and personnel safety, while in aviation, navigation errors may cause flight path deviations and operational disruptions – reports of which have the aviation industry and international regulators such as IATA and European regulator EASA seeking urgent solutions for GPS interference, according to one Reuters report in 2024. For autonomous systems like drones and self-driving vehicles, the inability to maintain accurate positioning can create safety hazards, particularly in dynamic or high-risk environments, from aviation to defence. As the use of GPS-dependent systems continues to grow, the need for resilient, alternative navigation solutions has become increasingly critical. Perceptra and Saluki overcome many of today's numerous challenges with advanced vision-based navigation, delivering reliable, resilient performance. Dr Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, said: "Perceptra, with its GPS-less capabilities, and Saluki, with its sophisticated Zero Trust architecture, represent a significant leap in autonomous navigation with the potential to transform multiple sectors." "From supporting safe travel in commercial flights, search-and-rescue missions with precise navigation, to enabling efficient urban drone logistics for deliveries in densely populated cities, these technologies have broad real-world applications," noted Aaraj. "Their adaptability also makes them invaluable in defense, ensuring secure and resilient operations in even the most challenging environments. This collaboration reflects our commitment to developing advanced, dual-use technologies that serve both civilian and defense needs while positioning the UAE as a leader in next-generation autonomous systems," he added. Perceptra is a vision-based system that ensures reliable navigation without GPS, allowing aerial platforms to operate in GNSS-denied environments. It features visual relocking, low navigation errors, and easy integration across platforms for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare. Saluki is a secure, high-performance flight controller and mission computer with Zero Trust architecture. With PX4 compatibility, Gen AI capabilities, and 300 TOPS compute power, it supports multi-vehicle management for mission-critical defense applications. "At Adasi, we integrate only the most advanced, field-proven technologies to ensure our UAVs operate with unmatched precision, resilience, and security, even in the most contested environments," remarked its CEO Juma Al Kaabi. "Perceptra and Saluki provide exactly what next-generation UAVs require: secure, GPS-independent navigation and AI-powered mission control," he added. Reda Nidhakou, the Acting CEO of VentureOne, said: "We are dedicated to ensuring that cutting-edge research becomes reality to make a positive impact and transform industries."
